Links: Washington Wizards prepped for preseason debut against Charlotte Bobcats

Not much going on today in the world of D.C. sports links:

• The Wizards play the Bobcats today at 1 p.m. in both clubs' first preseason game. You won't be able to watch it, which is too bad because lord knows there's nothing else D.C. sports-related to watch today. [Us (game thread, preview)| CSN Washington | Washington Times | Wizards Extreme | Rufus on Fire]
• Bradley Beal isn't that nervous about his preseason debut, probably because he's more worried about his hometown Cardinals biting the dust today in Game One of the NLDS against the Nationals WOO PLAYOFFS!! [Wizards Insider]
• Randy Wittman dosn't care about game-planning yet; he just wants his players to stay focused and sharp. [CSN Washington]
• Nice story here on Ted Leonsis and his belief that the Wizards are much better off now than they were two seasons ago. [Washington Post]
• More video from the Wizards scrimmage on Thursday. [Truth About It]
• After injuring a rib making a cross-court pass during practice on Wednesday, it sounds like Jannero Pargo will be okay. Trevor Booker also sat out practice Saturday nursing a sore hamstring, but Wittman doesn't sound overly concerned about either injury. [Wizards Insider]
• Thomas makes the case for starting Shelvin Mack in Wall's stead and wonders whether Jordan Crawford's offensive inefficiency and defensive impotence could cost him significant minutes this season.
• BNIE writes that the sooner the Wizards establish their defensive identity, the better prepared they'll be to take off running once Wall returns from his knee injury.
• So I might have thought that John Hollinger had "almost nothing good to say about the Wizards" in his latest player rankings, but he's evidently projecting Wall to have All-NBA-caliber season.
• Trevor Ariza carries the sting of personal tragedy with him everyday, etched both in memory and on his forearm. [CSN Washington]
• Emeka Okafor may be new in town, but he's already assumed a leadership role on the Wizards. [Washington Post]
• Kevin Seraphin is looking to pick up where he left off last season. [CSN Washington]
• Tom Thibodeau likes the leadership and competitiveness Kirk Hinrich brings to the Bulls. [SB Nation Chicago]
• Nick Young's debut season with the 76ers should to be nothing short of swag-tastic. [Liberty Ballers]